Shinji Kagawa Injury: Updates on Manchester United Star's Concussion and Return

Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa's rotten luck with the Old Trafford club has continued. The Japan international has been forced off in a rare start, during the club's Capital One Cup match against MK Dons.

Kagawa appears to have suffered a concussion per Jerrard Peters:

Initially, Peters reported the incident occurred after a nasty looking collision of heads:

At first, the injury had appeared to be relatively innocuous. The club's official Twitter feed simply reported damage to Kagawa's nose:

But if it is a concussion it's a major blow for Kagawa who was perhaps hoping to get his United career back on track following the arrival of new manager Louis van Gaal.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund man was seldom used last season under David Moyes' watch. But the skilled schemer may have a chance in Van Gaal's possession-based brand of football.

However, Van Gaal recently surprisingly claimed the opposite. The Dutch coach stated Kagawa was struggling to adapt to his methods, per ESPN FC:

"

Kagawa did not wish to fulfil my wishes, my philosophy when I played him in the United States. Kagawa was a No.10 at [Borussia] Dortmund but I want to try him at No. 6 and No. 8.

"

In this context, Kagawa can't really afford an injury right now. The 25-year-old is facing serious competition from Juan Mata, new arrival Ander Herrera and the recently signed £59.7 million man Angel Di Maria, confirmed by Sky Sports.

If he is sidelined with a concussion, this could sadly rate as Kagawa's last meaningful action for the Red Devils.